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Educational Approach

Our program follows a graduated responsibility model that systematically increases clinical and operative independence as residents progress through training. Each rotation is structured to provide focused experience in specific surgical disciplines while reinforcing core principles of perioperative management, surgical technique, and patient safety.

Our residents benefit from training at two Safety Net hospitals, Grady Memorial Hospital and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Hughes Spalding. Our primary ambulatory training site is the ¼«Æ·Ì½»¨ Healthcare Comprehensive Family Healthcare Center, where the full scope of family medicine practice and procedures are taught and performed. Residents also benefit from ambulatory training sites at the Veteran's Administration and the Grady East Point Neighborhood Clinic. Together, our training sites provide a range of experiences designed to prepare our graduates to practice in any setting.

Our program offers several distinguishing features:

• Hands-on operative experience across surgical subspecialties
• Comprehensive didactic curriculum including simulation training, journal club, and transition to practice sessions
• Regular case conferences, quality improvement initiatives, and Grand Rounds
• Opportunity for research time with mentorship from faculty investigators
• Individualized career mentoring and professional development

Our faculty members are committed educators who view resident teaching as a core part of their professional identity. They exemplify the highest standards of surgical practice and are accessible mentors who will support your development throughout training.

Program Strengths and Unique Features

Our program offers several distinguishing features:

1. Diverse Clinical Experience: Our residents train at Grady Memorial Hospital, one of the busiest Level 1 trauma centers in the US, along with the Atlanta VA Hospital, Piedmont Atlanta Hospital, Emory Decatur Hospital, the Augusta VA Hospital, and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta to provide a diverse clinical experience.
2. Comprehensive Training: Residents gain experience in general, trauma, vascular, pediatric, cardiothoracic, transplant, and minimally invasive surgery within our integrated program structure.
3. Research Opportunities: We maintain robust surgical research programs within the department with opportunities in basic science, clinical outcomes, education, and quality improvement research.
4. Wellness Program: We recognize the challenges of surgical training and have implemented a comprehensive wellness curriculum focused on preventing burnout and promoting resilience.

Resident Development and Success

The success of our program is measured by the success of our graduates. We take pride in our residents' accomplishments, including fellowship placement, academic productivity, and leadership roles within the surgical community. Our graduates consistently secure positions in competitive fellowships and practice settings that align with their career goals. We focus on technical training and developing the complete surgeon—one who communicates effectively, leads teams skillfully, and approaches complex problems with creativity and critical thinking. Our mentorship extends beyond graduation, creating a network of colleagues who support one another throughout their careers.

Our Commitment to Comprehensive Excellence

We believe that varied experiences strengthen our program and enhance the care we provide to our patients. We are committed to recruiting residents from various backgrounds and fostering a collaborative environment where all members of our surgical community can thrive. Our department aims to eliminate health outcome gaps in surgical care and training through education, advocacy, and community engagement.

Looking Forward

Surgery is a challenging but gratifying profession. We seek candidates who demonstrate clinical excellence, intellectual curiosity, personal integrity, and a genuine commitment to patient care. If you are passionate about surgery and ready to embark on a rigorous but supportive training experience, I encourage you to consider our program. I look forward to meeting you during the interview season and discussing how our program can help you achieve your professional goals.

Sincerely,

Kimberly Miller-Hammond, MD, FACS
Residency Program Director
Assistant Professor
Department of Surgery
¼«Æ·Ì½»¨ School of Medicine